Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

[LateNiteDiner]

...FAST!!

OK, so I know nutritious, whole foods is where it's at on this WOE, but sometimes it's nice to join family, friends, or co-workers for a fast food meal. I found this thread on a brief search for "fast food", but didn't find a good, single source of options across multiple chains.

I'd like to know what successful Atkineers choose when they decide to eat something from a fast food chain? Which chain(s) do you frequent and which menu items are most likely to wind up on your tray? I'm hoping to compile a list in the OP as items are added to be used as a quick reference when leftovers just don't sound tasty, or you're on the road and need a quick, legal meal.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

About the only thing you can do is to look at each chain's website and study their list of ingredients ... and find things that aren't too "awful".

Some are worse than others ... Subway, for example ... awful ingredients.

[Elizellen]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

If my food were like my motorcycle it would have to be........

approaching 60 years old and in the garage awaiting someone (DH) finishing off the re-wiring

Here is a good sticky from the 14-day induction forum with loads of nutrition links to check before eating/ordering out

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/restaurants/14319-restaurant-nutritional-info-links.html

[2big4mysize]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

Wendy's lets you pick your side so you can get a salad with your burger for no extra charge. Hardees and Carl Jrs will lettuce wrap your burger so you can eat it like a regular no fork needed sandwish.

[Minerva]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

You can get a burger and eat it without the bun. Use a fork.
Or, many fast food places have grilled chicken salads. Just avoid the croutons and don't use any sugary dressing.

[forbey]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

DANDR 2002, paperback, page 131 states in the section about fashioning a food plan with Atkins, a double chhese burger without the bun (and without ketchup) ia a suitable selection. I have had great success with both McDonalds and Burger King with walking in and ordering burgers with no bunn, no ketchup, even no onion. McDonalds will even put it into a salad tray and include a knife and fork.

I have, historically, been a Burger King boy, but with the creation of the Angus Burgers I have switched to McDs. Think about it a 1/3 pound burger, with mushrooms and swiss cheese, a packet of mayo or two, resting ever so lightly on a large leaf of lettuce. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Another switch we found we can make, is at our local VFW. On chicken night (I usually make an order by phone so it is ready when I get there) I order a fried chicken dinner (naked chicken) with salad and veggies (hold the taters, bread and breading!) And, they have no problem preparing it for me.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

>>with the creation of the Angus Burgers I have switched to McDs.>>

You know, of course, there's sugar in them, right?

[Elizellen]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

Atkinsgal got there before me -

100% Angus Beef Patty
100% Angus beef. Prepared with Grill Seasoning (salt, black pepper) and Angus Burger Seasoning: Salt, sugar, onion powder, natural (botanical source) and artificial flavors, maltodextrin, natural beef flavor [beef broth, yeast extract, maltodextrin, salt, lactic acid, natural flavor (plant source), beef fat, citric acid], spice, dextrose, autolyzed yeast extract, garlic powder, dried beef extract, sunflower oil, caramel color, worcestershire sauce powder [distilled vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, salt, caramel color, garlic powder, sugar, spices, tamarind, natural flavor (fruit source)], spice extractives, annatto and turmeric (color), calcium silicate and soybean oil added to prevent caking

All '100% Angus beef' means is that there is only meat from an Angus breed in it, rather than from another animal or breed, not that there is only beef in it!!

Get the Nutrition Facts for a McDonald's Menu Item

Whereas a quarterpounder has just meat and salt and pepper in it!!

Quarter Pound 100% Beef Patty*
100% pure USDA inspected beef; no fillers, no extenders. Prepared with grill seasoning (salt, black pepper). *Based on the weight before cooking 4 oz. (113.4g).

[forbey]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

Thanks for the comparrison, Elizellen. I can easily go for the quarter pounders over the Angus Burgers. Might even have to go back to Burger King.

That being said, the Angus Burger with no bun, pickle or onion has 8 carbs, 1 fiber or 7 net carbs./ If I count that into my plan of 20 net carbs a day, spread out over the whole day. I could have an Angus Burger and a quarter pounder! (with the cheese, that would be 8 net carbs.) Easily doable.

forbey

[Elizellen]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

That being said, the Angus Burger with no bun, pickle or onion has 8 carbs, 1 fiber or 7 net carbs./ If I count that into my plan of 20 net carbs a day, spread out over the whole day. I could have an Angus Burger and a quarter pounder! (with the cheese, that would be 8 net carbs.) Easily doable.

forbey

But remember that we are supposed to get 'most' of our up to 20 net carbs from our vegetables

[forbey]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

But remember that we are supposed to get 'most' of our up to 20 net carbs from our vegetables

As I am learning, it is often hard to figure exactly where our carbs are coming from. I would never have figured that something advertised as 100% Angus beef, would be so deceptively promoted.

To McD's favor, the burger is only 2 carbs, the cheese is 2 carbs, the mushrooms 2 carbs and the mayo has 1 (all net) (Not a veggie carb in the bunch)

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

>> That being said, the Angus Burger with no bun, pickle or onion has 8 carbs, 1 fiber or 7 net carbs./>>

Given the list of ingredients, I'm surprised you would even consider that 7 carbs would be a "good deal".

It's "junk".

Atkins is about quality, too ... not just counting 20 net carbs and calling it a day.

[LateNiteDiner]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

If my food were like my motorcycle it would have to be........

approaching 60 years old and in the garage awaiting someone (DH) finishing off the re-wiring

Here is a good sticky from the 14-day induction forum with loads of nutrition links to check before eating/ordering out
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...nfo-links.html

Thanks for the link and the laugh Elizellen!

So it seems the cheaper burgers at McDonalds's, Burger King, and Wendy's are the way to go, with a side salad where applicable. I am also fond of the Grilled Chicken Salad at Chick-fil-a with blue cheese dressing but without the croutons and sugary sweet sesame seeds.

The other fast food item I like is the traditional wings at Zaxby's. The sauces tend to have some carb content although the nuclear sauce (if you like insane heat) and the original sauce have minimal carbs. The hardest thing about Zaxby's is saying no to the crinkle cut fries and the texas toast.

I need to go look up the ingredients for burgers at Jack In The Box since I used to order the Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger from them without the toppings. It never occurred to me that the burger itself might contain no-no ingredients!

Finally, the other chain I need to research is KFC. I believe the grilled chicken meal with a double side of green beans is Atkins-friendly, but I need to confirm that as well.

Thanks for the responses.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

>>I am also fond of the Grilled Chicken Salad at Chick-fil-a>>

Have you checked the list of ingredients?

[LateNiteDiner]

Re: Sometimes I like my food like my motorcycle...

Really? I thought that aside from the little pile of carrots in the corner, everything else was fair game. I have checked the blue cheese which had a gram of sugar, but dressing (in moderation) has never been an issue for me on this WOE. Minus the carb-filled extras they toss on your tray, I thought the salad was a keeper. Do you know something I don't?